Chakravyuh (2012)

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With names like Prakash Jha & Abhay Deol, one only hopes for the best. With many good films this year, I may not want to place Chakravyuh under the creme de la creme but it definitely makes for a pacy entertainer that keeps you riveted till the end with a subject that couldn't have come out at a better time. Aptly titled, the film exposes the ugly reality of the govt, the politicians, the business houses and the fallout of their amorality. While all these things aren't under wraps any more, thanks to the media, the film keeps you glued all through. Cheers to the songwriter of Birla ho ya Tata. A perfect fit, the song neatly summarizes the entire film.

I was expecting some mind blowing performances for a subject like this. I have to admit here though that Chakarvyuh left me disappointed on this front. Arjun Rampal looks pretty much dead barring some of his aggressive dialougery. Wonder how Isha Gupta was given this role. Manoj Bajpai is good but not as impressive as in some of his other films. The one character that stands out, camouflaging all,  is Anjali Patil (who plays Juhi, one of the Naxalites). She's bang on with her dialogues, her attitude!

And as much as I want to avoid writing this, it felt as though Abhay Deol sleepwalks some of the scenes. There isn't a bigger admirer of him than me, which is why I still loved watching him but he has definitely done better. I liked the unpredictability that Jha lends to Abhay's character and his equation with Arjun.

Overall, its a good film that leaves you with a bad taste of the sour reality. Watch it!

Student of the Year (2012) - Popcorn flick on a lazy weekend!

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Surkh wala soze waala faiz waalaa love
Hota hai jo love se zyaada
Waisey waala love

Totally in love with this number. 8 on 10 for the music. Vishal and Shekhar have also done a great job remixing all the old numbers. Couldn't get hold of the Gulabi Ankhein track. Coming to the film, its a fun watch though nothing new to look forward to, as expected. It took me back to so many films I've seen but only looked fresh coz of the three new faces.

Great start for newcomers Varun Dhawan (Rohan Nanda) and Siddharth Malhotra (Abhimanyu). You can't tell its Varun's first time on screen. The opening number introducing Siddharth felt quite funny as if I were back to the Kuch Kuch Hota Hai/Rehna Hai Tere Dil Mein days but watch out for him as the film moves on. He's packet of surprises that unravels bit by bit. He wins you over with his sincere, restrained act. His lovesick puppy dog chemistry with Alia Bhatt (Shanaya) is perfect. I won't be surprised to hear if they're actually seeing each other. Alia doesn't have much to offer besides her Jimmy Choos and Louis Vuittons but she's adorable whatever little we see of her.

Varun and Siddharth make the best buddies. Their timings couldn't have gotten better. @KJo you've got to reconsider your Dostana 2 cast or how about Dostana 3? Their camaraderie aside, they screamed sexy every time they had their shirts off ;) And it looked even better on the big screen :) The good news is, Siddharth has already got 2 more films. Looking forward!

Individually, all performances are good. Overall, SOTY makes for a light, fun watch when you have nothing better to do!

English Vinglish (2012) - Delightful Cinema!

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I have just stepped out of the theater and flashes of the film are all over my head. EV is an honest effort beautifully executed. It casts a spell on you right at its outset and charms you through to the end, walking you through every emotion - love, hatred, happiness, sadness, fear, anger, aggression, submission. It isn't quite the script but the execution that's makes all the difference. Debutant director Gaurie Shinde, Balki's (the man behind Paa) wife, tenderly and skillfully handles every detail.

Every character in the film from Adil Hussain (playing Sridevi's husband) to Priya Anand (playing Sridevi's niece) to Sulbha Deshpande (Dadi) to all her coaching class friends commendably justify their screen time. Special mention to Laurent, the French actor (played by Mehdi Nebbou). His screen presence is spell binding and works wonders for the film. And last but not the least, the 'entrepreneur' Shashi Godbole aka Sridevi. The star of the show! She is effortless as an actor and a perfect cast for this role. No one emotes like her. Her face does most of the talking. The cotton sarees adorning her lend an irresistibly desirable look. I'm sure the men will agree :)

The film is hard hitting without being overly dramatic and that's its USP. A trademark Balki film! 3 words to express my love for the film - Go watch it. For the ones who've seen it, I'm waiting to hear from you!

It's raining good Bollywood films in 2012. Which one is your favorite? Paan Singh Tomar, Vicky Donor, Gangs of Wasseypur, Kahaani, Barfi, OMG, English Vinglish? Did I miss out any?

Oh My God (2012) - Hard-hitting Entertainer!

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The onus of OMG making the cut does not lie in the hands of the director or the script writer as much as the protagonist. You'll know what I mean when you watch the film. Paresh Rawal holds fort through the film, frame after frame. A hot-headed, agnostic Kanjibhai Lalji Mehta who calls a spade a spade, goes all out to defy superstitious religious beliefs that people unquestioningly bind themselves in. He refuses to give up his cause, even if it means losing everything! That's what makes the film all the more gripping. Despite the mess he gets himself into, he manages to hold his own, boldly sometimes, reluctantly at other times, but eventually coming out victorious.

Mithun Chakraborty initially felt awkward in the role of Leeladhar, but believe you me, as the film moved on, his expressions were enough to leave you in splits. His every move was hilarious. (Those of you who have seen it are nodding their heads right now ;) A bow down to our Siddheshwar Maharaj (played by Govind Namdeo) who gives a tough fight as an actor to Paresh Rawal. Akshay Kumar strikes a positive vibe every time he's on screen, completely justifying his role. 

Overall, every minute of the film is worth your attention. A paisa vasool pichhar you can't afford to miss! How about making it tax-free? :)